MSC Foundation partners with the Municipality of Milan in the ‘Milan for Trees’ restoration project

Funding the replanting of 200 trees in the Indro Montanelli Gardens after the devastating July 2023 storm

Focus Area: Emergency relief

On the first anniversary of the violent storm that hit Milan on 25 July 2023, MSC Foundation and the Municipality of Milan are proud to announce an important partnership to support the project ‘Milan for Trees’, launched by the Milan City Council to restore the green areas affected by last year's flooding.

With the MSC Foundation’s significant donation, 200 new trees will be planted this autumn in one of the most beautiful, historic and evocative areas of the city: the ‘Indro Montanelli Gardens’, 172,000 square metres of greenery located between Corso Venezia and Via Palestro, one of the places most loved by the Milan residents and visitors, one of the most damaged by the storm.

On 25 July 2023, Milan was hit by an unpredictable phenomenon, with very violent winds and heavy rain that caused widespread damage to the entire city. The downburst, which is the name of the exceptional event, swept through neighbourhoods, uprooting trees, damaging buildings and causing power outages. The trees and green areas, occupying more than 25 million square metres, suffered the most damage: more than 4,770 trees were lost, around 40% of which were located along tree lines and 60% in parks and green areas.

The Municipality of Milan immediately launched a fundraising project called ‘Milan for Trees’ to restore the city's greenery. MSC Foundation immediately responded to this call, making an important donation to allow the new planting of 200 trees in the ‘Indro Montanelli Gardens’. This contribution will allow the natural beauty of the park to be restored. It will offer citizens and the many tourists visiting Milan the opportunity to enjoy such an enchanting and elegant space once again.

‘Thanks to MSC Foundation's valuable contribution to the ‘Milan for Trees’ fund, we will replant the 200 trees that fell last year at the Indro Montanelli Gardens, one of the worst hit during the storm. This concrete action confirms the commitment, generosity and sensitivity towards our city and its green areas, evidence of the Ambrosian spirit and cooperation that distinguishes Milan. We are happy and proud that so many have responded positively to our call, supporting the important work of the Municipality and the Department of the Environment and Green Areas in the complete restoration of the tree heritage,’ said Mayor Giuseppe Sala.

‘With the important presence of the MSC Group in Italy, the MSC Foundation's commitment to supporting local communities in times of need is deeply personal. The MSC Foundation is dedicated to protecting the environment and providing relief during emergencies,’ said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation. ‘Since the beginning of our journey six years ago, we have conducted 61 emergency interventions around the world. We are immensely proud to have promptly joined the call of the City of Milan for the renovation project of the Indro Montanelli Gardens, so that they can soon be enjoyed by local residents and visitors from all over the world’.